Psalm 25 Devotional – May 1
MAY 1 – PSALM 25
GOD WILL PURIFY & PROTECT US
Today, we look at Psalm 25, which is a psalm of lament. In the middle of his sorrow, David petitions God to forgive him. David confidently turned to the Lord for divine instruction and forgiveness from his iniquity because of His mercies for Israel. This psalm is a meditation on the character of God that prompts the humble to respond with confession and prayer. Although the psalm contains elements of a lament psalm and a penitential psalm, the mixture of the two forms makes this psalm unique. The psalm is an acrostic, as each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Forgiveness forms a motif throughout the psalm (vv. 6–7, 11, 18). The adversities, which the psalmist details in vv. 15–21, are also of a general nature and so function as a community lament. The emphasis lies on the personal effect of adversity in the areas of self-examination, guidance, and submission to the Lord. In his experience, the psalmist demonstrates a remarkable desire to conform to God’s will. The repetition of the prayer for forgiveness (vv. 4–7, 11) is answered in the assurance of guidance. Thus, humility and growth in godliness are two positive effects of divine correction. The psalm begins and ends on a note of trust in the Lord (vv. 1–3, 21) and a prayer that the Lord will not let him down
The structure of the psalm is: (1) an introductory appeal that David will not be ashamed before his enemies (vv. 1-3); (2) a call for God to forgive David (vv. 4-7); (3) a focus on the character of God (vv. 8-10); (4) a renewed call for God to forgive David (vv. 11-18); (5) a concluding appeal that David will not be shamed before his enemies (vv. 19-21); and (6) a concluding prayer for Israel (v. 22). This can really be broken down even simpler into two sections as verses 1-7 are a prayer for guidance and forgiveness and verse 8-22 are a reiteration of the prayer.
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I trust;
let me not be put to shame;
let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;
they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your steadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 Good and upright is the Lord;
therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being,
and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Reflect on the perfections of God (good and upright, v. 8)
- In humility, ask God to lead and direct your path. Trust that He will
- Prayer does not have to be stoic and static. It can be vibrant, dynamic, and emotional. It is a time of confession, forgiveness, adoration for God, thanksgiving, and asking.